Dairy goats are increasingly popular small-scale livestock, but their welfare depends on understanding their social, physical, and nutritional needs during lactation.
Dairy goat welfare is influenced by housing quality, social group stability, milking management, and kid-rearing practices. Continuous confinement, poor flooring, and inadequate browse cause chronic stress and physical problems. The separation of does and kids is a significant welfare concern — extended suckling systems where kids nurse for several weeks show welfare benefits for both. Regular herd health monitoring and good udder health protocols are essential.